Finding the right place to stay will always be one of the hardest parts of booking a vacation. You need to find accommodation that’s suitable for your party size, fits your budget, is in a good location and feels safe. Ticking all of these boxes can be a struggle, but along the way, you’ll encounter another problem.
Should you stay in an Airbnb or a hotel? There will usually be many places to choose from in either category, but how do they differ, and which one is right for you?
How long are you staying for?
Is your vacation only a couple of days over a weekend? If so, hotels can sometimes work out as the more affordable option – particularly if you look for a budget one. There are plenty of budget hotels that are still really nice, yet don’t break the bank.
As your trip extends beyond a few days and gets closer to a week, Airbnbs start being cheaper. You don’t have to keep paying for breakfast, there’s no need to tip any staff, and you aren’t wasting money on amenities that you probably won’t use – like the hotel gym.
How many people are staying with you?
If you’re travelling alone or with one or two other people, hotels can be a suitable option. It will mean you can stay in one room, splitting the cost between all three of you. As a result, the cost of the hotel isn’t as bad when you split it like this.
However, if you’re travelling with a family, things get harder. Granted, as sites like The Family Vacation Guide show, you can find loads of family hotels with big rooms for up to 4 or 5 people. But, they tend to be super expensive. In most cases, you might have to book multiple rooms to keep everyone in. With an Airbnb, you get way more space, making them far more suitable for large parties of people.
Are you willing to do some chores?
For many, the idea of doing chores on holiday sickens them. With an Airbnb, you won’t have staff waiting on you. So, you need to do things like cook dinner, wash up, wash your clothes, etc. If you’re not willing to do this, then a hotel might be the better option for you.
Hotels will do pretty much everything for you, which is why they tend to be more expensive. You get food prepared and provided, new sheets every day, and there are even laundry services. This is another reason for Airbnbs are better suited to larger groups than small ones; there are more people to share the chores around!
In conclusion, the battle between Airbnbs and hotels ends in a stalemate. Realistically, neither option is better than the other – it all comes down to you. Think about where you want to stay, how many people are with you, how long you’re staying for, and so on. By asking these questions, you will start figuring out if a hotel or Airbnb is the right way forward.
Rory
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